Krabi is the gateway to the islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi or Railay but the city and its area have much to offer. Going to Krabi without taking time to take a long tail tour on the river among mangroves and limestone mountains or without visiting the cave temples is a great pity. have dinner at the night market near the pier of Tha Khong Ka. The food is tasty and very cheap. Here you are really in typical Thailand atmosphere. Budget accommodation there are numerous (especially near the pier). And for those who love relaxing on the beach, go to Ao Nang, 16 km away. There is a beautiful beach with amazing sunsets. The accommodation prices are higher. To see all options to get around in Krabi, read the page dedicated to transports in Krabi.
Accommodations in Krabi
When we speak of Krabi, it is important to distinguish the town itself where small accommodation and very cheap guesthouses offering dorm beds are very numerous near Chao Fah Pier and Ao Nang beach about twenty kilometers from the town. In general, travelers go sleep at Ao Nang beach and its beautiful sunsets. Rooms rates are significantly higher than in Krabi Town and it is very difficult to find a room for less than 1000 baht but there are some cheaper options. Book in advance as they rarely have rooms available in high season.
Find accommodation in Krabi
My recommandations
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Krabi.
The bus station is 4 km from Krabi town. White songthaews (Route 8399) depart from the bus terminal, pass through the town of Krabi including Kong Fa Pier where boats leave for the islands and Railay and where most cheap guesthouses are, then continue to Ao Nang. They run from 7am to 7pm and there is one every 20-30 minutes. A ride from the bus terminal to the city costs between 20 and 30 bahts and it is 50 baht to go to Ao Nang.
There is also a white bus (route 8415) that runs every hour from 7 am to 6.30 pm from Krabi Airport and goes to Ao Nang.
How to go to Krabi ?
To go to Krabi, you can choose the plane, there are direct flights from Bangkok and Koh Samui. Otherwise take the bus, departing from Sai Tai Mai, Bangkok South Terminal. Trains do not go to Krabi but to Trang and there you will have to take a bus or minivan to Krabi (or Ao Nang if Ao Nang Beach is your destination). The journey from Bangkok is very long. 12 hours by bus, 14 or 15 hours by train to Trang plus the bus ride to Brabi. By train, take rather choose a night train (book in advance). There are also formulas bus or van + ferry from Koh Samui and surrounding islands.
Offered in English This full-day tour will bring you into Krabi's countryside, through latex, palm, and pineapple plantations, meeting the locals. You will also visit caves, rivers and the seaside without tourists.
How to get around in Krabi ?
You can find all detailled information about options to get around in Krabi on this detailled page on transports in Krabi.
Festivals in Krabi ?
Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Krabi. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.
Called Wat Tham Seua in Thai, it is the most interesting temple to visit in Krabi. It owes its name to one of its many caves (the tiger cave) and offers a magnificent view over Krabi province from a sanctuary on the top of a mountain. The climb is rough (1260 steps) but the view definitely worths it! This is one of the must visits in Krabi.
This magnificent green-emerald water swimming pool attracts more and more people. Open to the bath, its crystal clear water makes it a pleasant place to bathe. The Emerald Pool is about fifty kilometers from Krabi or Ao Nang.
This trail in the mountains about forty kilometers from Krabi offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in Thailand. The 3.7 kilometers long climb is quite physical but the view at the summit is just amazing !
This pretty island is probably the most visited on the outskirts of Krabi or Ao Nang. It offers a small, charming beach with a bit of snorkeling and a beautiful lagoon surrounded by a circle of limestone peaks.
This small island and its famous sandbank is generally on the program of boat tours from Krabi or Ao Nang that go to Koh Hong. It does not lack charm but is quite touristy.
This island is located on Krabi River about 10 minutes from Krabi town and hosts an interesting rural local community that grows rice, makes batik and has a traditional Thai boat models maker. An off the beaten track visit for those looking for something other than islands, temples and beaches.
Like all Walking Streets except the one in Pattaya, it's a big night market that takes place a few days a week, in Krabi on weekends, in a few streets of the city, cut off from traffic for a few hours. It's especially nice to eat a wide variety of Thai Street Food.
These two mountain peaks that are on either side of the Krabi River, and that can be seen from the city center, are one of the most famous images of Krabi. Accessible only by boat, they host interesting caves.
Railay and its cliffs offers one of the most impressive landscapes in southern Thailand. Very popular with rock climbers for its walls and the incredible views they offer, the destination is also appreciated by other travelers for its setting, its magical sunsets, its beaches and some small hidden nature jems.
These are the most famous and popular hot springs in Krabi because they are not far from the Emerald Pool. The particularity here is that in addition to the swimming pool filled with naturally warm water at 40-50 degrees Celsius, there is also a hot stream and especially its small hot waterfall. Pleasant and good for your body!
Koh Lao Lading starstarstar This small island nicknamed 'Paradise island' is often on the programme of boat trips from krabi or Ao Nang that go to Koh Hong. It does not lack charm but is quite crowded with tourists.
Ao Thalane starstarstarstar It is one of the most famous places for kayaking in Krabi province. It must be said that with karst formations and mangroves, the setting is just ideal !
The Mud Crabs Sculpture starstarstar This sculpture of a giant black crab with the two mountain peaks on each side of the river in the background is one of the symbols of Krabi Town. Tourists, especially Thais, like to photograph themselves in front.
Mangrove Tunnel starstarstar This portion of an arm of the river that goes through the mangroves near Krabi town is nicknamed the tunnel because you are completely immersed in the shade of the mangroves. It has to be part of all boat tours on Krabi river.
Mangrove Tunnel starstarstarstar After a demonstration of how the batik dyeing method works, you will have the opportunity to try making your own creation in a larger or smaller size depending on your choice.
Koh Phi Phi starstarstarstarstar Visiting Koh Phi Phi island is offered as a full day boat tour from Krabi (or Ao Nang) but to really enjoy what it has to offer and avoid going to be on the various point of interest when they are crowded with tourists, the best thing is to sleep there and take an early morning excursion.
Koh Lanta starstarstarstarstar Koh Lanta is quite popular with tourists looking for an island that is still a little wild without too much night life and a real local life. To visit Ko Lanta, it is necessary to stay there several days. There are some interesting boat trips and diving excursions from Lanta and many beaches from long ones to more secret ones.
Koh Jum starstarstarstar The small Koh Jum island is located between Krabi and Koh Lanta. Little known, it is one of the few islands in Thailand that have escaped mass tourism. Quite wild and not really modernized, it is a destination for those who want to escape from the busy world for a few days.
Khaothong Hill Viewpoint starstarstarstarstar This viewpoint is also a famous café and restaurant. But you can go up there without consuming anything. Khaothong Hill offers a superb view of the sea and the islands of Phang Nga Bay. This is one, if not the, best place to watch the sunset in Krabi. But it's a half hour drive!
Ao Nang Mountain Buddha Temple starstarstarstar This perched temple often ignored by tourists even though it is only 3 kilometers from Ao Nang beach is an interesting place to visit with several beautiful golden statues including a large Buddha on the top. It also offers a nice dominant view from the top of its stairs.
Ao Nang Monkey Trail starstarstar This little trail starts from the end of Ao Nang beach 18km from Krabi town, crosses the jungle climbing up the mountainside before descending to a charming little secluded beach. You can sometimes see monkeys on the way, hence its name. Sometimes but not all the time!
Wat Bang Thong (Wat Maha That Wachiramongkol) starstarstarstarstar This Buddhist temple, a good hour's drive from Krabi or Ao Nang, even if quite recently built, is remarkable for its architecture and its 95-meter-high golden chedi inspired by the Maha Chedi Phutthakhaya in India. It is a very photogenic temple and still relatively unknown to foreign tourists.
Din Daeng Doi Viewpoint starstarstarstarstar From its summit, this mountain offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Krabi. This is probably the best place to come and have breakfast with an incredible view while watching the sun rise over the horizon. Food prices are very reasonable.
Klong Root (Clear Water Canal) starstarstarstar This natural canal with incredibly crystal clear water is one of the 2 or 3 very popular places in Krabi to go for a kayak trip. It's very pleasant to immerse yourself in nature with this water having almost unreal colors.
Wat Khao Hua Sing starstarstar This temple with its pretty gilded ordination hall and located in a corner of the countryside and mountains is a very pretty architectural achievement. It offers a superb, serene natural setting conducive to meditation. Not a must-see but a beautiful little temple off the beaten track.
Saline Hot Spring Khlong Thom starstarstar These are not the only hot springs in the area but they have the particularity of having salty water. Less frequented, in a less natural setting because they are very well laid out, they are, from my point of view, not the most pleasant because there is no shade above the pools. But we can appreciate that there are fewer people and the walk in the mangroves behind.
Krabi has a tropical savanna climate. On the Andaman coast like Phuket, Krabi province has to a six months long rainy season between May and November with heavy rainfalls often brief but regular. On average, it rains less in Krabi than in Phuket.
The best time to come to Krabi is from December to March and especially in January-February. During summer it rains oftent especially from August to the end of October, the worst period to come to Krabi.
I want to go to Krabi / Yak paï ti Klabi.
Where is Krabi ? / Klabi you ti naï ?
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